Experimentally validated multi-scale modelling scheme of deformation and fracture of cement paste

Hongzhi Zhang*, Branko Šavija, Stefan Chaves Figueiredo, Erik Schlangen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents a validation procedure of multi-scale modelling scheme by making, testing and modelling deformation and fracture of cement paste beam at sub-meso scale (between micro and meso scale). Miniaturized three-point bending testing concepts were adopted. Cement paste beams with a cross-section of 500. μm. ×. 500. μm were fabricated using a micro dicing saw and subjected to bending using nanoindenter. Simultaneously, fracture behaviour of the same size specimens was predicted by a microstructure informed multi-scale lattice fracture model in which input microstructures are obtained by X-ray computed tomography at two scales (micro and sub-meso). Uncoupled upscaling approach was used to relate the material's mechanical behaviour at sub-meso scale with the microstructures at lower scale. A good agreement between experimental and numerical results was observed which shows that starting from micro scale and with relatively simple mechanical considerations it is possible to correctly reproduce behaviour at upper scale.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-186
JournalCement and Concrete Research
Volume102
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Cement paste
  • Flexural tensile strength
  • Micro-beam
  • Nanoindentation
  • Three-point bending

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